June 7, 2003

“Ms. Elizabeth” with some of her students.

This morning, the school was full of teachers frantically trying to finish their marks and report cards, and the playground full of kids nervously playing or sitting and chatting waiting for their marks.

“Deacon Marthame” with a couple of his students.

Students receiving some school supplies for the coming year.

At about 10:30, the bell was rung, signaling that report cards were about to be distributed. The teachers descended en masse, and after some announcements by Fr. Aktham, homeroom teachers ("form teachers" in Britspeak) gave out the final report cards. A number of kids had theirs withheld because they still have not paid tuition, a real problem for the school - not to mention for the families - whose finances are seriously strained. Those who did receive their marks showed their pleasure and disappointment freely, comparing their grades with their cohorts, complaining and gloating in big groups. Meanwhile, the vice-principal was distributing Caritas-donated school bags and supplies to the students, class by class, to be used next year presumably.

Finally, we have all of the raw footage for the project.